2,023 individuals submitted electronic surveys regarding the addition of a indoor/outdoor fieldhouse facility here in Manhattan. Out of the surveys collected, 1217 surveys came from Manhattan, 249 from Wamego and 61 from Junction City. 690 additional comments were also submitted to provide extra feedback, 474 of which provided email addresses so they could stay up to date on this project.
The Riley County Commission had a chance to view these statistics, and additional information about the fieldhouse, during Thursday’s commission meeting. Fieldhouse Advisory Group Chair, Gail Urban shared the results with the commission, saying the goal is to create a “financially successful project”.
Urban shared personal stories about her family and their many trips to other cities for sporting events. Kansas City and Topeka often house Manhattan youth athletic tournaments, as we do not have a facility to accommodate such crowds. If such events were held here in Manhattan, the results could stimulate the economy and promote growth in the area.
While Manhattan and Wamego both seemed to be in full support of the project, Junction City did not, as they intend to build their own outdoor facility.
Urban mentioned the next steps needing to be taken include- a feasibility and market study, figuring out where to put the facility, and raising $100,000 to do the building feasibility.
So far, five offers have been submitted to the board for free land usage. This project is projected to take up 100 acres.
A majority of the rest of the agenda involved department overviews and updates, as the commission previously requested to better educate the two new commissioners. Planning/Special Projects Director-Monty Wedel, Budget and Finance Officer-Johnette Shepek, Noxious Weed Director-Dennis Peterson, County Counselor-Clancy Holeman and Appraiser-Greg McHenry all presented updates.
